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There has been very little Food Poisoning reported during the
year and with the exception of several cases which occurred in a
local school there have been no outbreaks. With regard to these
a considerable number of children were away ill with symptoms
which were similar to those of food poisoning. As the majority of
these children did not visit their doctors no notifications of Food
Poisoning were received in the office. However, the case was taken
up by the department and after a considerable number of visits and
consultations with the Headmaster of the school it was ultimately
found that a canteen worker had apparently suffered with Food
Poisoning prior to this outbreak. The worker was suspended from
work until such time as the pathologist reported that she was
clear of any possibility of spreading further disease.
Schools, Smoke Observations, Etc.
The majority of the remaining sub-headings under this item
were routine Public Health matters. There was a considerable increase
in the smoke observations made, these being mainly concerned with
one factory and although this factory was kept and is being kept
under very careful observation, no nuisance was at any time noted.
The factory have done all within their power to co-operate with the
department to ensure that there is no likelihood of a nuisance being
caused. The complaints received regarding smell, etc., from this
factory have recently been much less mainly owing to different
arrangements having been made for the disposal of certain wastes.
FACTORIES
During 1955 the routine visits to factories and outworkers for
the purposes of the Factories Acts have continued and in the year in
question 321 visits were made and 5 contraventions were found.
Notices were served on the occupiers of the factories and the necessary
work was carried out. The condition of factories generally in
this area is reasonable as far as the Sections for which the local
authority are responsible. Considering that there are 104 factories
in the district the number of notices served is small.
SHOPS ACTS
This is the second year for which this Council has been the
authority under the Shops Acts and the general survey which was
taken in the previous year has been continued. Some 765 visits have
been made to various types of shops and no serious contraventions
of the Acts have been found up to the present. In most cases in
which the shops have not entirely complied with the provisions of
the Acts a satisfactory conclusion has been reached after discussion
with the occupiers.
The anomalies under the Early Day Closing Orders have not yet
been adjusted but it is hoped that this will be dealt with in 1956.
Until this matter has been satisfactorily adjusted it is not possible
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